Emilie Fockedey, technology dedicated to humankind
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The co-leader of the Walloon artificial intelligence programme will have no truck with dehumanised technology. Her activities are focused on raising awareness of AI and its issues amongst citizens and industrialists. And she does so in order to provide them with the tools to make fully conscious choices as regards opting for it or not.
Technique and technology, Emilie Fockedey is absolutely mad about them. Shortly before the pandemic and its litany of lockdowns turned our lives upside down, she sensed that the world was on the cusp of a root and branch change with the advent of AI. ‘It was appealing, but I knew very little about it. Then a friend told me she was going to take the inter-university ‘Hands on AI’ certificate given at UMons, with staggered course schedules. And so I wondered: why don’t I do that as well? As I like learning and taking courses, going back to the lecture halls was a way of combining the useful with the enjoyable. What’s more, the course was rich and varied. With lectures in particular on the impact of artificial intelligence in education and health, areas I am very interested in. But there was also a “roll your sleeves up and get stuck in” aspect, with a traineeship in Python programming.’
Putting technology to work for humanity
She began taking this course in 2019 without knowing what to do with it work-wise, but being utterly convinced it would be of value for her career. At the time, she was the manager of Move Up, an acceleration programme for digital start-ups. Three years earlier, she had taken a course on coaching. And she made the best possible use of it by providing support for innovative start-ups for various organisations such as CAPInnove, Digital Attraxion or the Agence du Numérique. ‘Combining the human and technological aspects, I was already really into it at that time.’
Sometime after obtaining her Mons certificate in AI, she came across a recruitment announcement on LinkedIn concerning working as a co-manager of the Walloon artificial intelligence programme, and said to herself that there is no such thing as coincidence. A letter of application was sent off and, what do you know, she landed the job.
‘There are currently, within our country, serious considerations and major fears being triggered by artificial intelligence. My view of technology is that it is there to improve the daily lives of human beings. To make their lives easier, to increase their wellbeing, their quality of life. To help them in their personal development, to grow. Not by any means must technology serve to imprison human beings, to harm them.’
‘As the leader of the Walloon artificial intelligence programme, I am not in favour of placing AI in every domain. It depends on the company. For some, using AI is vital, whilst for others it is not important. It must remain a conscious and informed choice by the people involved: they must have a very clear grasp of the issues, the risks and the opportunities of AI.’
An AI café
Working in technology was never a childhood dream for Emilie Fockedey. ‘Up until my final year of secondary school, I didn’t know what I was going to study in higher education. I was hesitating between Oriental languages, diplomacy, international law, the sciences. I loved maths. I thought that if I became a civil engineer, that wouldn’t close any doors for me. It was then that I opted for this pathway, and I really enjoyed my studies a lot. But all the same, pure know-how doesn’t interest me. What I love, and I am lucky enough to do so in my profession, is combining the know-how and technological component with the human component.’
For her next major project, Emilie Fockedey would like to step up AI awareness raising amongst citizens. ‘By 2025, the idea is to establish an itinerant artificial intelligence café. This shared discussion moment would give citizens an opportunity to meet experts and ask them the questions which are gnawing away at them concerning new technologies. They will also be able to express their fears, because it is natural that they have them. Often it is a fear of the unknown. It is important that the experts can provide responses to demystify AI and the uses it is put to.’
Another project is rooted in the new European regulations governing artificial intelligence. ‘It will involve providing business companies, via videos and other resources available for free on our website, with a complete raft of reliable information so that they know what they must and what they must not do. And then, obviously, if they have questions concerning specific cases, specialists will respond to them.’
Thrillers and classical music
With such a career pathway, it might be expected that Emilie Fockedey would be an aficionado of science-fiction. She is nothing of the kind. A good detective novel, criminal cases to be solved with a thriller as a backdrop, that is what she likes to read to take her mind off things. And don’t go suggesting seeing a long film after a day’s work, otherwise you may see her nodding off long before the end credits. ‘On the other hand, I love series,’ she smiles.
Music also has a privileged place in her life. Particularly classical music. ‘I began playing the piano at the age of 9. And it has never left me. If I’ve lost some technique, owing to a lack of practice, I still love playing just as much. I also enjoy listening to classical concerts at home. This style of music allows me to get away from it all whilst filling me with emotions. This incredible cocktail can really sweep me away and move me greatly. Now and again I also listen to a pianist whilst working. There being no lyrics allows me to concentrate on what I am doing.’
Sport and the power of the mind
This will not be her first sporting challenge. Emilie Fockedey in fact comes from a family of marathon runners. ‘I’ve already done one. What I love about elite-level sport is the power of the mind. I remember various tennis matches, where a player is behind against their opponent, is facing match points, and manages to find the resources within themselves to turn things round and gain the upper hand. I find it just phenomenal. It gives me so much inspiration!’
She would have loved to have met Kelvin Kiptum. An athletics star and the world marathon record holder, he was killed in a car accident in February of this year. ‘He combined excellence and surpassing yourself. He was heralded as a future Olympic gold medal winner. He was hugely impressive.’ By virtue of her ambitions and her commitment to a technology dedicated to humankind, Emilie Fockedey is, for her part, also impressive.
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